A PUBLIC memorial service to honour the life of Eileen Goodrich who died last week will take place at St Mary's Priory Church in Monmouth on January 10 - the day that she was due to receive her MBE.

A small, private funeral for Eileen's family and closest friends will be held later this week at the Usk Castle Chase woodland burial site.

Eileen's children Deborah, Nick and Alfie said: "We understand that people want to pay their respects and that it might usually be expected for the funeral to be the big public event where people can do that.

"But the family feels that the burial should be a small and very personal event.

"However, we've decided that January 10 should be the day to celebrate Mum's life.

"This is the day she would have received her MBE and the family would have been celebrating her life and achievements.

"A month may seem a long time to wait for a chance to pay one's respects, but we want the event at the church to be really special and we want as many people as possible to come."

The family added that rather than send flowers, well wishers are asked to make a donation, which will be divided between worthy local causes that Eileen supported during her life.

Details of this will be announced shortly.